Red Sox chat with ex-White Sox GM

BOSTON -- Former White Sox general manager Ron Schueler was interviewed for the same position with the Red Sox.

BOSTON -- Former White Sox general manager Ron Schueler was interviewed for the same position with the Red Sox.

Team president Larry Lucchino said Tuesday the interview with Schueler was "very positive."

Schueler stepped down as Chicago's general manager two years ago to concentrate on scouting. He resigned from the organization in September.

Lucchino also expressed frustration over an unanswered request to interview Athletics general manager Billy Beane, who signed a four-year contract extension this spring.

"There's a rule against tampering, and you must make a request" to interview another team's employee, Lucchino said. "But there's a protocol of timely, courteous replies to those requests, and I can't understand why we have not heard anything yet."

Red Sox interim GM Mike Port, who replaced the fired Dan Duquette in the spring, is "certainly" a candidate, said Lucchino. "Hopefully Mike will be with the Red Sox for a long time to come, either as general manager or in some other capacity," he said.

INDIANS SEARCH: Joel Skinner will lead off the last round of interviews in Cleveland's search for a manager.

Skinner, the club's interim manager for this season's last 76 games after Charlie Manuel was fired, meets with owner Larry Dolan and general manager Mark Shapiro today.

Shapiro wants his manager in place within a week after the World Series ends. The manager probably will get a two-year deal with a club option for a third, he said.

Meanwhile, Indians first baseman Jim Thome won the 2002 Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who combines outstanding playing ability with work in the community.

TEEN GUILTY IN ATTACK: The 15-year-old boy who ran onto the field with his father to attack a Royals coach at Comiskey Park pleaded guilty and was released to his family. The boy and William R. Ligue Jr. were charged in the September beating of Tom Gamboa during a game. The boy could face probation or incarceration until he is 21.

A-ROD HONORED: Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez won the Sporting News' player of the year award. Rodriguez hit .300 with 57 homers and 142 RBIs for the last-place Rangers. He received 197 votes from players, easily beating San Francisco's Barry Bonds, who was second with 48.

ASTROS: The staff of manager Jimy Williams, who led the team to a distant second-place finish in his first season with the club, will return for 2003.

CUBS: Former star second baseman Ryne Sandberg was turned down when he proposed that he manage the club. "I wanted them to know I was available and interested," Sandberg said. "It's something that I think would be great."

MARLINS: The team's strategy to improve flagging attendance next season includes free hot dogs and a cozier, noisier atmosphere at Pro Player Stadium. Team president David Samson said he wants to get fans "falling back in love with the Marlins." ... Second baseman Luis Castillo is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on his right hip today to repair a torn labrum. He is expected to be ready for spring training.